1. What are the COVID-19 travel requirements?
No pre-entry tests are required to enter Canada. Please check our COVID-19 page for the latest info.
2. What equipment do I need to go heli skiing?
We provide powder skis, poles, powder snowboards and all avalanche safety equipment. You are of course, free to bring your own skis or board. All you need to bring is your basic gear with some options for colder or snowy weather. We recommend you bring a waterproof shell, insulating base layers and shell pants. Also, the usual suspects include waterproof gloves, boots (ski or snowboard), goggles (multiple lenses are helpful), a helmet, a rolling ski/board bag and your favourite action camera. Check out this link for more details.
3. Do I have to be an expert skier or boarder to enjoy heli skiing or boarding?
Valid question and firm no! Any strong intermediate rider who is confident on a blue ski run and can manage boot top to knee-deep powder will be able to have a blast heli skiing or heli boarding. This myth and others are busted here
4. What is the maximum number of people for a group heli ski booking?
Ten people is the maximum number of people for our new Mountain Lodge. Our Yellow Cedar Lodge can house up to 18 people. Please see our Private Package page for further details.
5. How much does heli skiing cost?
As with everything, the price varies. At some day heli skiing operations, a 3-run package can cost as little as $1000. (Northern Escape does not offer day heli skiing).
On average, the cost is between $1,400 – $2,500 per day depending on the package you choose and the time of year. Please see this link for more details of the packages and options available. Northern Escape’s prices are all-inclusive of meals, lodging, guides, equipment rental, and of course our “lift pass”.
7. Do I have to sign a liability waiver?
Yes, prior to confirming your reservation we will require you to agree to the terms of the Release of Liability, Waiver of Liability and Assumption of Risks Agreement, and you will be required to complete the agreement in person when you arrive at our Lodge.
Copies of this agreement for your review are available from our office and/or by clicking here for the Waiver.
8.What does a typical heli-skiing day look like?
It’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a whole lot of fun in between! But seriously, our day begins with a complimentary in-lodge stretch at 7:00 am. Breakfast is served at 7:30 am. After breakfast, you will go through some safety briefings with your guides. You will depart from the lodge to the mountains around 8:45 am.
After some runs, you will enjoy a nice lunch on the slopes. Depending on the time of the year, our groups might start coming back at 4:45 pm.
We will have good food and cold beer waiting for you at our Après Ski. In the meantime, enjoy a relaxing massage or a hot tub (don’t forget to bring a swimsuit!). Dinner is served at 7 pm.
See our Heli-Skiing Itinerary post for more detailed information.
9. How do I get to your heli ski lodge?
Book a flight from your location to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. From Vancouver it’s a short 90-min flight to get to our location in Terrace BC with one of two airlines:
- Air Canada or
- WestJet
We will have a representative waiting for you at the airport. It’s a short 20-minute drive from the Terrace airport to our Yellow Cedar Lodge, and a 15-min heli flight to our new Mountain Lodge. For more information click here.
10. Do you offer ski equipment and board rentals?
Yes, we do. You can bring your equipment if you like, but it isn’t necessary. If you would like to travel lighter feel free to use ours including a selection of Prior Snowboards & Skis. We have plenty for everyone and they are already included in your heli-ski package.
11. Is heli skiing family friendly?
Absolutely! Heli skiing is an experience that will challenge your ability to work as a team, but also bring you closer together. It is strongly recommended that each family member is a strong intermediate level skier or above. We suggest a private trip, so you can choose the terrain and pace your family wants!
12. What is the accommodation like?
The Yellow Cedar Lodge is built of heavy cedar timber and is located in the woods on the banks of the Skeena River. This is your home for the Classic package and offers accommodations for 18 people, sauna, hot tub, gym, games room, Wi-Fi, and outdoor Ullr Bar.
The new Mountain Lodge is a purpose-built $4.5M lodge opened in 2020 and is one of the sport’s most comfortable accommodations. It features a massage room, hot tub, games room, ski shop, fast Wi-Fi, and comfortable lounges. This is the home for Elite package guests.
For more details about accommodation click here.
13. Is dining service available on site?
Each lodge features its culinary team of Red Seal chefs that prepare your food with the finest locally-sourced seasonal ingredients accompanied by a Sommelier-curated wine list of award-winning BC wines.
All meals are included in the cost of the package.
14. Do you cater to special dietary requirements?
Yes, we do! Please let us know in advance if you have any food allergies, or if you follow a special diet. Our cooks like to get creative and will do the best they can to impress you.
15. Does Northern Escape Heli Skiing have Wi-Fi?
Yes, both of our lodges include complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi.
16. Will I be able to get cell phone reception?
Yes, you will! It may be spotty at certain places, but we will show you the best spots to make a cell phone call. But many guests just use our high-speed wifi for calling.
17. Is there a laundry service at the heli ski lodges?
We don’t have a laundry service, but you are more than welcome to use our laundry facilities at the lodges.
18. Do I need to purchase medical insurance?
It is not mandatory, but we highly suggest purchasing medical insurance. If you have insurance coverage already, please ensure that it covers sports, such as heli-skiing.
19. How many runs do we average a day?
We average 8-15 runs per day, but many factors may come into play here (i.e. Unlimited Vertical, weather, safety issues).
20. This is my first trip with Northern Escape Heli-Skiing, any tips?
Bring your ski boots in your carry-on. That’s the only item we can’t provide if your luggage gets delayed.
Don’t worry about bringing cash; you won’t be using your wallet until checkout day. We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Amex for incidental payment.
The average temperature around our skiing terrain is -6C (21F). For skiwear, we recommend layers: base layer and mid layers such as Icebreaker Merino long underwear. Next, an outer layer such as an Arc’teryx shell made of Gore-Tex. Another piece that is nice to have under your shell for colder days to keep your core warm is an insulated vest or softshell. A neck warmer and a toque is also a good idea.
Dress casual around the lodge, jeans and comfortable clothes. Don’t forget to bring a bathing suit to enjoy the hot tub and sauna.
21. How large is your heli ski terrain?
Our terrain includes 5,500 sq km of big mountains and untouched powder. Over 100 ft of snowfalls in the Terrace area each year. Our cat skiing area covers more than 29 square km’s (7,000 acres) of cat skiing trails.
22. When is the best time to go heli skiing?
You should plan your trip for any time between mid-December and mid-April, as this is the length of Northern Escape Heli Skiing’s season. You will most likely experience the deepest powder from the end of December till the end of January. You can always check the current weather condition here.
23. Do you provide avalanche safety equipment and training?
Heli-Skiing Safety is our absolute priority. We will provide you with safety gear, which includes transceivers, shovels, probes, and airbag backpacks. Transceivers emit radio signals that are vital for locating a person buried in the snow. In addition, you will receive safety training from our ACMG certified heli-ski guides. You can read more about the safety equipment here.
24. Can I bring filming equipment such as GoPro or a drone?
Who doesn’t want to share a brag-worthy video of your first run on untouched powder? You can bring your GoPro camera; however, helicopters and drones don’t mix well, so please leave your drone at home.
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Guide to Heli Skiing in BC
- Planning your First Heli Ski Vacation
- Tips for Skiing and Boarding in Deep Powder
- Safety and Equipment
- Choosing a Heli Ski Operator
- When are Where to Go
Office Address:
Northern Escape Heli Skiing
4732 Lazelle Ave
Terrace, BC, V8G 1T2
Canada
Mailing Address:
Northern Escape Heli Skiing
PO Box 59, Terrace, BC
V8G 4A2, Canada
